Reflections: Corona

It has been a couple of months that the whole world is battling an insignificant yet powerful enemy. A virus called Corona, Aka COVID-19. Allah says in chapter 74:31 And none knows the soldiers of your Lord except Him. We believe nothing happens without the will of Allah. Does Allah want bad and suffering for His creations? Parents would never want to see their children go through any hardship. Allah loves His creations much more than parents love their children. We also believe that He is a loving, caring, and the most merciful. He is in control of all. Why then He would allow such a pandemic happen to us all? If He wills, this virus can disappear from the face of the earth as were the dinosaurs. Then why is Allah allowing the virus to cause some much pain? Let us see what Allah says in chapter 30:41. He says: Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. SO maybe instead of blaming everything on God or others, we reflect on what we are doing. We reflect on how we live our lives. How much damage are we causing the environment? Every action has a reaction. Our actions have consequences that will come back to us. It might not necessarily be what we as individuals are doing or are not doing. It could be that the leaders or politicians are making decisions and we are oblivious about these decisions. To make it clear let us look at an example given by our beloved prophet. Two groups of people are aboard a ship with two decks. One group on the upper deck and the other on the lower deck. The group on the lower deck makes a hole on the floor of the ship to get water. The second group does not prevent the first group. what is the result? Everyone drowns. We cannot just sit and be indifferent about the actions of others in our society and on our planet. We all have responsibilities. We have responsibilities toward ourselves. This means we are responsible toward our body. This is the reason some actions are prohibited in Islam. Smoking drugs (including cigarette) and drinking alcohol, for example, are harmful to the body, so these are prohibited. We are responsible toward our family then toward our community.

Let us look at another verse from the Quran. Allah says: And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient. 2:155. This is the reality of the life of this world. Allah tests us all. Calamities fall in our lives in different forms and shapes. We persevere, put our trust in Him, and never lose faith.

Reflections Jan. 2019

We worship the one who made me. He is The creator. The relationship is between you and Allah. You confess only to Allah. Not anyone else since anyone else might have sins greater than yours. Allah will judge us on the day of judgment. Neither was he begotten not does He beget. You cannot have anyone at the same level as Allah. All the qualities of the prophet do not come close to Allah’s. If someone claims love, there should be actions associated with it. Words should be proven by actions. How can you love Allah and sleep during Fajr time. Always be conscious of Allah. This is taqwa. This will save you. The development of consciousness of Allah will protect us from His wrath. We don’t render an act of worship to anyone besides Allah. We don’t worship Allah based on how we feel. Iblis said I’m better than him. This was his downfall. This happens to us when we see someone with worldly possessions. We try to label him with accusations of Haram income and Haram conduct. We get inspiration from iblis.

Reflections Dec 2018

I’m a proud Muslim should not make us arrogant. Clean your heart to build bridges. You have a solid relationships with Allah. Money brings temporary happiness. The Best of us is the one whose bridge is stronger with Allah and rasool. We render our actions to Allah not to his rasool. Prophet was a shining example. So follow him in everything you can. When you get closer to Allah, your heart becomes soft. It’s a sign from Allah that your heart is soft. Guidance is in the hands of Allah. Our task is to convey the message. The message of love and peace. We help each other to get closer to Allah. Respect those you disagree with. The same laws that are allowing you to practice your religion is allowing them to practice what they are practicing.We control ourselves from eating junk food so we are healthy. Likewise we control ourselves from committing sins so we have a healthy akhira.Treat the other gender with utmost respect. That’s building bridges. When you reach out to others, they see the beauty of Islam. None of you enters paradise except with the mercy of Allah. How do we get the mercy of Allah? We get the mercy of Allah through our deeds. He wants to see that we are doing our best. Try your best and Allah will give you the rewards. The fact that you do the deed with the correct intention then He will shower you with His mercy. Istigfar is very powerful. Be happy with what Allah has provided to you. Allah looks at the heart and the actions. You worship Allah alone. Treat other creatures with respect. Think good of others. Try and keep trying to get His mercy.Allah wants to forgive, so ask Him to forgive you. Do the deed then protect it. Allah has said: it is your deeds I reckon you with. Whoever finds goodness thank Allah you write your book. So proofread. You can still delete. Write a beautiful chapter everyday. Those who find goodness should thank Allah. We should always be hopeful of the mercy of Allah. One is to search for guidance. Second is to ask Allah for it. Don’t just sit at home and ask for it. Those who strive in our cause, we guide them. You have to try, Allah will do the rest. O Allah guide us to the straight path. Seek clothing from Allah. Ask Him to cover us. He is the one who covers and feeds. Thank Allah for whatever He has granted them. Deeds should bring humility. Do your deeds and be humble. Your hearts need to be cleansed. Whatever is asked of Allah and He bestows it to them, nothing is lowered or diminished from His treasury. Nothing is displaced from His kingdom. Having nothing of this donya, and their deeds are great. Materialistic matters, look at those who have less than you. In terms of Deen, look at those who have passed you. A sign of good deed is your heart being soft. This is a sign of acceptance. Allah requested Moosa to talk to pheroah in kindness.Always start with the name of Allah. He is the greatest. This is tauheed. He is the one who is going to grant us success. Then send blessings and salutation upon Mohammad PBUH. He was chosen by Allah. Allah says acknowledge the prophet the way I acknowledge him. Allah is the one who chooses. If Allah raises you, no-one can drop you. Praise be to Allah, the creator, the norisher, the provider, the protector, the cherisher. The control of the entire existence. Prostration is only for Allah and no-one else. I believe in the names and qualities of Allah without adjusting them. Who is our personal Savior? Allah. He is the one who made me. Mohammad PBUH is the best of creation, but we never render an act of worship for him. Because we believe in Allah. We respect the messenger at the highest level. Only Allah knows the condition of the heart. So never judge others by the condition of their heart. To go to a fortuneteller is an issue of Iman. We only say bismellah. Start with the name of Allah.

These are some reflections I noted while listening to some of the scholars such as Mufti Menk.